Of Russian Influence – An Introduction To Nikolai Zherdev

By Aaron Vickers

July 20th, 2003

He stands at a generous six feet tall. He tips the scale at a shadeover 175 pounds, soaking wet. He lacks dominating size and a strongdefensive presence. So what is it that has the Columbus BlueJackets drooling over Russian sensation Nikolai Zherdev?

Participating in their fourth ever National Hockey League Entry Draft,General Manager Doug MacLean and the Columbus Blue Jackets scoutingstaff had their eyes on one prize and one prize only; Russian forwardNikolai Zherdev. In fact, the intentions of the club were voicedthrough Doug MacLean in the days leading up to the draft. So what wasit that made Zherdev, who at this time last season was dubbed as the‘consensus number one selection’, so attractive to the Columbus BlueJackets?

Zherdev’s combination of speed, skill and sense on the ice are a rarityat his age. The top ranked European skater by the NationalHockey League’s Central Scouting Bureau, he saw his stock slip somewhatafter a mediocre showing at the 2003 World Junior Championships, inwhich a dispute with Russian head coach Rafael Ishmatov saw Zherdev limitedto third line ice time.

“I am obviously not satisfied with the play at the tournament. Therewas a misunderstanding with the coach,” said Zherdev at the draft, who went on toexplain that the lack of trust from Rafael Ishmatov resulted in hislack of playing time. Zherdev, clearly unhappy with his play, went onrecord as saying that “only one assist in the whole tournament isobviously clearly not good enough.”

Putting the tournament aside, Zherdev had a strong 2002-03 campaignwhich saw him play with the Central Red Army Team in the RussianElite League. Skating in 44 games, he tallied 12 goals and addedanother 12 assists, totalling 24 points, while adding an additional 34penalty minutes.

The 2003 fourth overall selection isn’t about to dwell on this pastseason. In fact, Zherdev turned his complete attention to the 2003Entry Draft at the conclusion of his season in the Russian EliteLeague. Visa issues had Zherdev worried whether or not he’d make it tothe draft in time, but he managed, arriving in the United States threedays later than originally planned. With all the questions answeredfrom the 2003 Entry Draft, it allowed a new series of questions insearch of answers, surrounding the Columbus Blue Jackets and NikolaiZherdev.

It was rumored that, before the Pittsburgh Penguins acquired therights to the first overall selection and made their intentions knownthat goaltender Marc-Andre Fleurywould be their selection, that Zherdev stated on a television programin Russia his distaste for the potential of playing in Pittsburgh.Without hesitation, Zherdev dismissed these allegations. Zherdev,however, had no problems expressing his excitement to be selected bythe Columbus Blue Jackets, instead.

In fact, it was the trade made by Pittsburgh that essentially decidedwhere Nikolai Zherdev would play. Zherdev learned of the trade via hisagent, who quickly explained to him what to expect with the first fourselections in the draft.

“My agent said that Pittsburgh really likes Fleury,” said Zherdev, “andCarolina is picking second and then Florida, so it was likely I wouldgo fourth in the draft. So, I strongly expected before the draft that Iwould be fourth.” Another indication that Columbus would snatch upZherdev if given the opportunity was that he was interviewed byDoug MacLean on several occassions. Despite having aspirations of beingthe first player selected in 2003, Zherdev seems content with Columbus.

When asked if he had any expectations to be drafted first overall,Zherdev shrugged off the premise, saying that all he could do was play,and prove that he should have been selected higher.

Nikolai’s attention has now been shifted away from the 2003 EntryDraft, with his focus solely on next season. Despite not having acontract in place, Zherdev still believes he can contribute to theColumbus Blue Jackets next season. In fact, Zherdev, in anticipation ofcoming over to North America for the 2003-04 season, has alreadypre-arranged a deal with the Red Army Club.

“We already made a deal with the Red Army Club that if I want to leavefor the National Hockey League this season, they are not going toprevent me from doing so,” explained Zherdev. In addition to thatagreement, Zherdev would have no problems severing ties with CSKA, ashe isn’t under contract for the 2002-03 season. He also feels that ifhe should be playing in North America next season, with the ColumbusBlue Jackets, adapting will not be a problem. When asked about whetheror not he felt he would have any problems, he quickly responded bysaying “I think I’ll be okay.”

Zherdev certainly doesn’t seem to be intimidated with coming to NorthAmerica to play hockey, both on and off the ice. North American cultureisn’t something too intimidating to the forward, nor is living on hisown. Zherdev had even stated that he’s been living on his own for awhile now. He feels that despite not knowing much, he can adaptquickly and easily in his rookie campaign.

“I am not too familiar with the culture at this point,” admits Zherdev,“but I feel that if I come to America and live on my own, without muchhelp, I should be able to get accustomed in about six months.”

Zherdev also believes that he has a good situation in Columbus. With ayounger Columbus squad, ice time should not be a pressing issue forZherdev when he makes his trip over the ocean. Subsequently, Zherdevrealizes his potential situation with the Blue Jackets, and equatesthat with his past season with CSKA.

“I hope to receive a lot of ice time and deliver results early,” statesZherdev. “The situation is similar to that of CSKA when I played therelast season,” remembers Nikolai, who was one of the youngest on theroster, “where the team was young and just returned back to the EliteSuper League from the Lower Upper League.” How much ice time Zherdevwould receive in his rookie season can only be speculated, but could beparalleled to that of Calder finalist RickNash, who saw limited minutes on the third line in 2002-03.

At this point, it is unclear where Zherdev will reside for the 2003-04season. There is the chance that he will suit up for theBlue Jackets. There is also the strong possibility that he willreturn to Russia, and again play for the Red Army Club. Either way is acan’t-lose situation for Zherdev. Should he and his agent decide thatColumbus is the place Zherdev needs to be for 2003-04, he will receiveabsolutely everything he requires, both on and off the ice. Should itbe decided that returning to the Elite Super League would be in thebest interests of Zherdev, he will receive coaching from arguably thebest hockey coach in the world, 73-year-old Viktor Tikhonov, who has coachedCSKA for 25 seasons.

The future may look bright for Columbus, which has the potentialmakings of a great first line of years to come. Jacket fans may beginto drool thinking about Nikolai Zherdev on the right side, centred by2003 second round selection DanFritsche, with Rick Nash patrolling the left side. There may beonly one flaw with having Nikolai Zherdev down the right side for theColumbus, in the eyes of Jacket fans. He lists his favorite team as theDetroit Red Wings.